realizationchord

Realization chord is a term used in music theory to describe the actual chord that results from realizing a figured bass or basso continuo line. In the Baroque and Classical periods, a keyboard or other continuo instrument would interpret numbers written beneath the bass note to supply the full harmony. The resulting chord—comprising the bass note plus the added chord tones—is called the realization chord.

Formation and practice

A realization chord is built from the bass note and the figures that accompany it. Figures indicate intervals above the bass (for example, 3, 5, or 7) and guide which chord tones to add. The realization may involve triads, seventh chords, or extended sonorities, depending on the figures and harmonic context. Realizers must consider voice leading, avoiding forbidden parallels, and preserving the intended harmonic function. The exact realization can vary by style, era, and the performer's discretion, even when the same figures appear.

Common examples

If the bass note is G and the figures indicate 7-5-3, the realized chord typically functions as a G7 chord: G-B-D-F. If the figures show 3-5 without a 7, the realization often yields a simple triad such as G-B-D. Realizers frequently adjust the upper voices to fit melodic lines, cadences, and preferred voice-leading practices.

Historical and modern use

Historically, realization chords were central to continuo playing, enabling flexible accompaniment that could adapt to changing textures. In modern scholarship and performance, figured-bass realizations are studied as part of performance practice, and editors may provide suggested realizations or modern equivalents (such as chord symbols) to aid contemporary players. Realization chords thus bridge historical technique and present-day harmonic understanding.